Top 15 Tips to Get and Stay in Shape

Do you have goals of getting into great shape? Here are 15 tips that I follow to stay–in shape. Remind yourself of these often by taking a screen shot and putting as your desktop on your computer or smartphone!

1. Change your attitude about exercise. Try looking at it positively instead of with dread. It really is a privilege that not all people have. Visualize the result in your mind, whatever your goal – feel better, live longer to play with your grandchildren, rock a swimsuit on vacation.

2. Focus on short-term fitness goals with an emphasis on completing daily exercise.

3. Eat well! Eat healthy balanced meals. It doesn’t matter what diet your are on (you shouldn’t be dieting anyway….it won’t last) extra calories will ultimately mean extra weight. Stick with eating plans you can maintain indefinitely. I highly recommend the 21 Day Fix or Fix Extreme lifestyle.

4. Drink your H2O. This is non-negotiable! Water should be the first quencher you think of when you feel a little thirsty. Try adding lemon, lime, cucumber, mint or a few berries to give you flavor variety without adding calories. Definitely limit alcohol intake.

5. Don’t OD on caffeine. There are studies about caffeine being good for health, but in limited amounts. It can put you in a vicious cycle that messes with your sleep cycles and make you more sluggish when not “on” it to get your exercise.

6. Keep track of what you’re actually eating. This includes everything.  If you hate to see food go to waste so you finish off your kids uneaten food. Keep track. Myfitnesspal.com is a great way to track especially with the app.

7. Enjoy an occasional (once every week or two) “unhealthy” treat, but don’t let it turn into a healthy weekend, week or life.

8. Keep up with healthy living by subscribing to a blog of someone you trust with their health and wellness advice or getting on the email list. You can also follow some health and wellness channels on social media. Here’s one to check out 😉

9. Invest in the right tools including good shoes, and comfortable, quality workout clothes.

10. Find a buddy or join an accountability group. It’s fun to exercise with a friend and even if you can’t be in the same location, check in with each other for extra accountability. It’s fun to celebrate successes together too! (Just don’t celebrate with food. 😉 ) You may have a friend who’s just looking for the extra motivation from a friend to get started or get going again.

11. Prevent monotony and muscle adaptation by changing up your routines and finding new fun ways to exercise. Also, change up your intensity – not all high intensity all the time, remember to slow down with some stretching, yoga, PiYo. Don’t get too comfortable.

12. Don’t compare your body to those of others. Instead, love yourself as you are and just work to be your best you.

13. Schedule your workouts for the week. Don’t play it by ear and lose opportunity because your day slipped away. It’s a priority. Make the time. Make it your goal to exercise 6 days a week – something even if it’s a walk. Move your body!

14. Change your mindset to think about total fitness and not “weight loss.” Look for and track your NSV – Non-Scale Victories. NSVs can be clothing size, just feeling better, friends noticing a change in your attitude, clearer skin, etc.

15. Get adequate amounts of sleep (ugh, my biggest struggle of all) so your muscles can recover and so you can wake up early to get your next workout done!